Winfield short on funds for new swimming pool

Sep 14, 2017

By Grace King, Mt. Pleasant News

WINFIELD — Winfield is almost $69,000 short on raising funds for the new community swimming pool.

The city needs to reach 50 percent of the $1.5 million cost of the pool by Sept. 30 to meet the requirement for the Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant, which would fund 18 percent of the budget.

The city has committed to borrow $400,000 for the project if they do not meet their deadline. Mayor Chris Finnell said they have only recently begun a private campaign to fund the pool, sending letters to individuals and businesses asking for donations. They are looking to pursue more private donations and will continue to host fundraising events in the community.

“It worries me that we’re committing this much,” council member Tom Rodruck said during a Winfield City Council meeting on Sept. 13.

The city is waiting on written confirmation of a spoken agreement Pilot Grove gave to commit $25,000 to the project.

“We’ve got work yet to do,” Finnell said. “I don’t think the city can stand that much.”

“Someone in town is going to win the lottery and give us all the money we need,” the mayor joked. “I hope it’s me.”